TEAM Act reintroduced

Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS) has reintroduced three bills collectively known as the “Transition toward Excellence, Achievement and Mobility Act” or “TEAM Act.” The bills seek to redesign federal programs for youth with intellectual disability as they transition from secondary school to the workforce. The bills were introduced during the last Congress (112th Congress), but did not advance.

The TEAM Education Act (H.R. 510) seeks to streamline the transition process at the high-school level and require coordination between the state education authority and the state I/DD authority. It would amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Team Empowerment Act (H.R. 511) seeks to increase coordination between state educational agencies and state intellectual and developmental disability agencies to successfully transition youth with significant disabilities from high school into meaningful employment and post-secondary education opportunities. It would amend the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act.

The TEAM Employment Act (H.R. 509) seeks to realign preferred outcomes for people with significant disabilities, and streamlines public funding by requiring the Vocational Rehabilitation system to actively engage with other state entities. It would amend the Rehabilitation Act.

The bills were referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.